On Friday, 4 February, delegates convened for the final day of the ninth session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF). Following the late night deliberations on a proposed Omnibus Resolution on Thursday night, delegates resumed negotiations on Friday morning, and met throughout the day. The contentious issue of references to the outcomes of UNFCCC COP 16 within the Omnibus Resolution threatened to derail what was a largely optimistic two weeks.

With a compromise reached, plenary resumed at 5:29 pm. Chair Arvids Ozols introduced the Omnibus Resolution, which was adopted by acclamation, with some delegations noting their comments and reservations for the record. Turkey then offered to host the tenth session of the UNFF in Istanbul in 2013. The decision will be forwarded to the UN Economic and Social Council for consideration. In closing remarks, UNFF Director Jan McAlpine highlighted the contribution of the Bureau in making UNFF9 a success. Chair Ozols outlined the successful achievements of the Forum, including the launch of the International Year of Forests 2011, High-Level Roundtable discussions, the Ministerial Declaration and the Omnibus Resolution. He gavelled UNFF9 to a close at 6:28 pm.

International Year of Forests 2011 logo projected onto the UN Secretariat Building.

Turkey presented an offer to host UNFF10 in Istanbul, in 2013.

Bolivia said that, while it accepted adoption of the Resolution in the spirit of compromise, it objected to a paragraph recalling the outcomes of the UNFCCC COP 16.

Algeria, for the African Group, welcomed the UNFF9 Resolution on Forests for People, Livelihoods and Poverty Eradication.

Hungary, for the EU, said the adoption of the Resolution and the launching of the IYF 2011 were a great success that should inspire action to ensure forests play a key role in the sustainable development agenda.

Switzerland called for clarification on the submission of country reports, saying that the focus on the theme of UNFF10.

Argentina, for the G77/China, said the Resolution and the Ministerial Declaration adopted at UNFF9 were the two key objectives of the Forum, noting that these would help the international community find specific solutions to the challenges presented.